Thomas Mair jailed for life after murdering Labour MP Jo Cox

Batley and Spen MP Jo Cox in Westminster. Cox, a Cambridge University graduate, was an aid worker before becoming Labour lawmaker for Batley and Spen in 2015.
Reuters
Thomas Mair will serve a life sentence in prison after being found guilty of murder in the killing of Labour MP Jo Cox.

The jury in the Old Bailey trial took just 90 minutes to reach its verdict, according to Sky News. Multiple reports also said Mair showed no emotion when he heard the decision.

She was arriving for her weekly advice session with local residents at Birstall Library when she was attacked. Cox was also campaigning for Britain to remain in the European Union ahead of the 23 June referendum.

The 41-year-old mother of two died in an ambulance soon after the attack, during which Mair shouted "this is for Britain," "keep Britain independent," and "Britain first," according to evidence presented to the court.

Elizabeth Cook/ PA Images
Mair denied murder and did not give evidence in his defence during the weeklong trial, the BBC reported. He was dressed in a dark suit and blue tie at the hearing on Wednesday and was "impassive as the verdicts were read out," the BBC said.

Sky News added that Mair was refused permission to address the court after the verdict.

He was also found guilty of having a firearm with intent and causing grievous bodily harm to a man who tried to help Cox — retired coal miner Bernard Carter-Kenny. Finally, Mair was found guilty of possessing a dagger, which is deemed to be an offensive weapon.

The West Yorkshire Police found evidence that Mair held extreme right-wing views after a raid on his council house and search of his internet history. Items used as evidence included neo-Nazi literature and a golden Third Reich eagle ornament with a swastika on the front.

"By your actions, you have betrayed the quintessence of our country, its reliance on Parliamentary democracy. There is no doubt that this murder was done to advance the cause of violent white nationalism.

"It was a vicious ruthless and determined attack. You returned to inflict further injuries on Jo when it seemed she might survive."

In a statement, Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn said Cox's murder was an "attack on democracy." He added: "The single biggest tribute we can pay to Jo Cox will be to confront those who wish to promote the hatred and division that led to her murder."

Cox was survived by her husband, Brendan Cox, and two children. Brendan Cox told the court: "We feel nothing but pity for him that his life was so devoid of love and filled with hatred, his only way of finding meaning was to attack a woman who represented all that was good about the country."

Outside the Old Bailey, Cox's sister Kim Leadbetter told the press: "We can and we will work through our pain. As a family, we are stronger and more united than ever. I for one will not be beaten by what has happened and I know I am not alone. It is the last thing my sister would want."